INTRODUCTION: Epilepsy is a disease with psychological and social aspects; patients suffer not only from seizures but also from social stigma. With this article, we aimed to evaluate society's view of epilepsy patients and the general level of knowledge about epilepsy.
METHODS: This study is a single-center cross-sectional study, and the study population consists of first-degree relatives of patients who were hospitalized in the neurology service with non-epileptic neurological diagnoses. Questions were asked to evaluate epilepsy awareness and labeling of epilepsy patients. The results were analyzed using statistical methods.
RESULTS: It was determined that the mean age of the patients included in the study was 49.25. Of them, 56.6% (n=56) were women. For the question, "Would you hire a patient with epilepsy?" a statistically significant difference was found between the age results (z=2.838, p=0.006). For the question, "What kind of instruction about epilepsy would be more useful for you?" a statistically significant difference was found between the age findings (χ²=8.548, p=0.036).
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: By developing education policies for different age groups and education levels, and increasing the level of knowledge about epilepsy in society, stigmatization can be prevented.

INTRODUCTION: Postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) is a common complication following coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Mitral regurgitation (MR) is associated with left atrial (LA) structural changes that may play a role in the development of AF. However, the relationship between MR without significant LA enlargement and POAF has not been adequately studied. In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between the degree of MR and the development of POAF in patients who underwent isolated CABG without significant LA dilation.
METHODS: A total of 262 patients (51 with POAF and 211 without POAF), aged 26-85 years, who underwent CABG between January 2016 and March 2017, were included in the study retrospectively. Patients' data were obtained from hospital files and electronic data system. Surgical information, laboratory data, and ECGs in sinus rhythm were recorded. Patients with at least one 12-lead ECG showing AF within three days after the surgery were included in the POAF group. All patients underwent preoperative 2-dimensional and Doppler echocardiographic evaluation. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the predictors of POAF. A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
RESULTS: The incidence of POAF was 19.5%. The incidence of POAF was significantly higher in patients with moderate-severe MR compared to mild MR (p=0.0001). Logistic regression analysis identified moderate-severe MR and erythrocyte suspension (ES) transfusion as independent predictors of POAF.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Preoperative moderate-severe degree of MR may predict POAF, independent of left atrial size in patients undergoing isolated CABG. In addition, the administration of ES also increases the risk of POAF development.

INTRODUCTION: To examine the demographic, clinical, and laboratory data of patients diagnosed with pauci-immune necrotizing glomerulonephritis and to reveal the effects of remission induction and maintenance treatments on these patients.
METHODS: A total of 41 patients diagnosed with pauci-immune necrotizing glomerulonephritis and followed between 01.01.2009 and 30.10.2018 were included in the study. The demographic and clinical data of the patients, remission induction and maintenance treatments, effects of the treatments on survival, and treatment-related side effects were analyzed.
RESULTS: The mean age was 54.1±16.7 years; 53.7% of the patients were female. Anti-MPO positivity was observed in 58.3% of patients, and anti-PR3 positivity was seen in 29.3%. While 95% of patients required dialysis, plasma-pheresis was performed in 70.7%, and relapse occurred in 20% of the 25 patients who received maintenance treatment. Among patients needing dialysis at admission, 5 (23.8%) died, 7 (33.3%) continued to require dialysis, and 9 (42.8%) no longer needed dialysis. During follow-up, 8 out of 41 patients remained on dialysis, and 6 (14.6%) died.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Due to the high mortality of patients requiring dialysis at admission, immunosuppressive treatments should be prioritized, even though the treatment success rate is reduced by half in these patients.

Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy (PML), caused by the JC (John Cunningham) virus, is a central nervous system demyelination, usually on an immunosuppressant basis. This report aims to demonstrate that sudden neurological symptoms in patients could result from an immunosuppressive state even if their medical history is unremarkable. A previously healthy, immunocompetent 47-year-old man, diagnosed with PML with sudden dysarthria, was diagnosed with AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) and rapidly deteriorated. In conclusion, young, healthy outpatients with sudden neurological symptoms may be diagnosed with complications of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, even without a history of chronic diseases, malignancies, or immunosuppressant drug use.

Spinal epidural angiolipomas are benign tumors composed of mature fat cells and abnormal vessel structures. They are often misdiagnosed, and there is limited information on their clinical features and surgical strategies based on outcomes. A 59-year-old female presented with chronic neck pain. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed an epidural mass at the T1-T2 levels. It was isointense on the T1 and hyperintense on the T2-weighted images. It showed intense and homogenous enhancement. The same tumor was identified in a previous MRI examination conducted three years ago. However, the patient had declined the recommended surgical treatment at that time. There were no notable differences between the previous and current MRI scans. A laminectomy was performed on the T1 and T2 laminae, and the tumor was found to be soft, fragile, and reddish-purple. Pathological analysis revealed mature adipose tissue with varying levels of vascular proliferation. The blood vessels within the tumor contained fibrin thrombi, which was characteristic of angiolipoma. It had a low proliferation index (low Ki-67) and showed a positive stain for CD31 in immunohistochemical staining. The patient had an uneventful postoperative recovery. In conclusion, angiolipomas can remain asymptomatic for up to three years; patients may still have normal neurological function even if the tumors occupy half of the spinal canal. It is critical to consider angiolipomas as a possible cause when diagnosing epidural spinal lesions. MRI features can aid in the diagnosis, and surgical removal is the recommended treatment with a high success rate.

Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a chronic immunological liver disease in which the host's immune system targets liver parenchymal cells. Acute autoimmune hepatitis can occur as a result of triggering by hepatitis B virus infection. In our case, autoantibodies were analyzed, and a liver biopsy was performed on a patient hospitalized with acute hepatitis B exacerbation on a chronic background, who showed no clinical or laboratory response despite antiviral and supportive treatment. The patient was diagnosed with AIH, and methylprednisolone was added to the treatment. In such cases, careful follow-up is crucial.